How to Keep Pests Out of Your Garden Shed

Garden sheds can be really handy. They offer some extra space to keep tools and outdoor items. They can also be a good place to do some crafting or workshopping. A shed increases the value of your home, and it can be kitted out for all sorts of fun activities.

Sheds do have a risk that your main house doesn’t have. The shed isn’t used as much as the main house, so it can easily become cluttered or neglected. And because the human traffic in your shed is lower, it may end up becoming a haven for pests.

While it’s unlikely you’ll visit your shed every day, it might help to develop a routine of checking the shed every two or three days. This way, you’ll notice any potential pest problems before they get out of hand. Inspect the shed during the day, and be sure to shine a light in every dark corner to make sure there are no bugs or rodents hiding in there.

Having a light in your shed is helpful for security and safety purposes. It’s convenient as well, since it enables you to work at night. But while light can keep away unwanted elements, it tends to draw bugs and pests.

When you’re not using the shed, keep the lights off to avoid luring bugs and other critters to your shed. If you’re worried about security, try using alarms or motion sensors instead, since these will only be triggered in the event of an active intrusion.

As you inspect your shed, keep an eye out for any gaps or leaks. These can provide an inlet for pests to sneak into your shed. Make sure your garden has lockable doors and windows, which should always be firmly secured. Plug spaces that may be used by unwanted visitors. Areas that might have gaps include windows, doors, corners, joints, and roofing panels.

Garden sheds can help you reduce clutter in your main house or garage, but be careful that you don’t end up having a cluttered shed instead. Periodically, maybe once a month, clear out the garden shed. Throw away any empty packaging materials like cardboard boxes or unused product jars. They make handy hiding spots for pests and mould.

If there are any jars, boxes, or containers that you’d like to keep, make sure they are clean, dry, and that they have tight lids that bugs can’t sneak into. Dust the outside of these containers regularly so that they don’t accumulate grime.

Keep your shed well organised so that you know exactly where everything is, and make sure there is enough open space between the items in your shed. This offers fewer nooks and corners for pests to hide. Neat surroundings also make it easier to spot dirt and pests.

Speaking of mould, make sure your shed is dry and well ventilated. Cold, damp conditions attract insects and other undesirables, so make sure your shed has no mustiness. Look out for rising damp in the floors and walls, repairing it as soon as you notice it. Weekly cleaning will help you identify and resolve trouble spots.

If you do discover pests, you can use home remedies and over-the-counter treatments to get rid of them. Herbs like mint, tansy, and lavender are unpleasant for bugs and can help keep them away. You can also use mothballs, or spray the base of your shed with pesticides. Baited traps are helpful for controlling bugs, and borax-laced bait works great on cockroaches.

You could also install a bug zapper to get rid of any pests that get past your wards. If you use your shed to store tools, bikes, lawn mowers, or other implements, make sure everything is clean before you store it. These items easily collect mud and dirt, which can attract or breed pests that might already be in the mud when you track it in.

Avoid eating inside your shed, since you will inevitably leave crumbs and food particles which will draw the pests as they search for food. And once they come in, they might never leave. You should also avoid storing garbage in the shed. Use tightly sealed cans and leave them outside, a good distance from the shed or house. Composting is even better.